This April 2010 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Maule MX7. Injuries: None. Location: Greenville, N.C. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot, who received his tailwheel endorsement the day before the accident, had five hours of flight time in the accident airplane, with most of his experience being on turf runways.
The accident happened when the pilot made a three-point landing on the asphalt runway. After touchdown, the airplane began to pull to the right and the pilot corrected by applying left rudder. The airplane immediately swung hard to the left and ground looped.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of experience in the make and model airplane.
For more information: NTSB.gov. NTSB Identification: ERA10CA227
People who read this article also read articles on airparks, airshow, airshows, avgas, aviation fuel, aviation news, aircraft owner, avionics, buy a plane, FAA, fly-in, flying, general aviation, learn to fly, pilots, Light-Sport Aircraft, LSA, and Sport Pilot.
Interesting that these type of accidents weren’t anymore numerous when there wasn’t any such thing as a “tailwheel endorsement?” At least that’s what it seemed like to be 48 years ago. Perhaps pilots don’t get enough training in basic flight control, and too much training on everything else?